Magnetic catch assembly



1967 R. R. TRIPLETTE MAGNETIC CATCH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 15, 1965 INVENTCR. 1%ezf iffy/e1??? 2 7 ATTOQ/VEKS' United States Patent 3,304,110 MAGNETIC CATCH ASSEMBLY Robert R. Triplette, P.0. Box 4508,

Winston-Salem, N.C. 27107 Filed Jan. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 425,908 9 Claims. (Cl. 292--251.5)

This invention relates to a magnetic catch of the type used with a door having a magnetic striker plate and, more particularly, to a magnetic catch assembly including a magnetic sub-assembly comprising a magnet and a pair of pole pieces embedded in a plastic material so that the pole pieces extend therefrom, a mounting plate for movably supporting the magnet sub-assembly, and a plastic casing having an opening for removable securement in a posit-ion contiguous with the periphery of the mounting plate so that the mounting plate and the magnet subassembly are entirely covered except for the pole pieces which extend through the plastic casing so as to be engageable with the striker plate.

Magnetic catches are designed so that thepole pieces, which engage the striker plate on the door to hold the door closed, are movably supported by a plate or housing.

which is in turn secured to a door frame or a cabinet frame. Magnetic catches are thus designed so that the pole pieces are capable of full contact with the striker plate of the door at all times after installation in the event the door becomes slightly warped or changes position due to swelling or shrinking or the like.

Various magnetic catches have been proposed heretofore wherein the pole pieces are shiftably or movably retained within a housing to permit self-adjustment. The prior art magnetic catches, however, although providing movable pole pieces to assure contact of the pole pieces with the striker plate of the door, have not proven entirely satisfactory for use in all environments.

Typically, the magnetic catches heretofore known have utilized a magnet with a pair of metal pole pieces held to the magnet by magnetism. The magnet and pole pieces are placed in a housing for restricted movement therein. The housing of the prior art devices is usually made of metal and frequently the magnet and pole pieces are positioned in the housing in such a manner that the magnet and pole pieces may move in the housing along two axes which are perpendicular to each other. The movement along each axis is restrained by contact of the magnet and/ or pole pieces with the housing. Other variations of the prior art magnetic catches dispose the magnet and pole pieces within the housing so that they may rotate within the housing. The rotational movement is limited by contact of the pole pieces and/ or the magnet with the housing.

The housings of the prior art magnetic catches take various forms. The most rudimentary is a one-piece housing which movably supports the magnet and pole pieces. The housing has holes therein for screws to be inserted therethrough for securing the housing to an appropriate structure such as a door frame or a cabinet. Some of the prior art magnetic catches utilize two-piece housings comprising a backing plate which mates with a configured casing covering the magnet and pole pieces. A pair of holes extend through the casing and the backing plate so that a screw may be inserted therethrough to mount the assembly to a door frame or a cabinet.

Most of the prior art magnetic catches having a onepiece housing utilize a metal housing. And of the prior art magnetic catches having two-piece housings, at least one of the members of the housing'is usually made of metal. Some magnetic catches have utilized plastic housings. Such plastic housings must have sufiicient strength so that screws may be inserted through holes therein 30 as to secure the housingsto a door frame or a cabinet.

3,304,110 Patented Feb. 14, 1967 To provide such strength, the plastic housing is rigid and inflexible.

Since the housings heretofore utilized are either metal, partly metal, or of a rigid plastic, the contact between .the magnet and pole pieces to restrict the movement thereof causes a noise. In fact, a magnetic catch of the type heretofore known may be held in the hand by grasping the housing and moved vigorously back and forth so that the magnet and metal pole pieces will rattle within the housing.

Magnetic catches heretofore known, therefore, cause noise by the rattling of the magnet and/ or the respective metal pole pieces in the housing. Such structures and their resultant tendency to create noise are not acceptable for use in various particular environments. For example,

magnetic catches heretofore known which may rattle are not satisfactory for use in the cabinets of audio assemblies. Assemblies such as hi-fidelity record players create sound frequencies which can cause vibrations to act upon the magnetic catch so that the magnet and pole pieces vibrate against the housing to create noise. The resultant sound or noise from the catch interferes with the performance of the hi-fidelity equipment.

Another disadvantage of known magnetic catches is that they are secured to the door frame or cabinet by the use of unsightly screws extending through holes in the housing and into the door frame or cabinet. The screws securing the catch to the door frame or cabinet are always visible.

Furthermore, in the manufacture of furniture, such as cabinets or the like, a magnetic catch must be secured to the cabinet and adjusted to properly engage the striker plate on the door either before the wood of the cabinet is finished or after it is finished. If the catch is placed in position before the wood is finished, the stain, varnish, etc., will accumulate on the magnetic catch during the finishing process thereby accumulating unsightly varnish, stain, etc. on the catch. If the catch is secured in place after the furniture is finished, the finish of the furniture might be marred as the catch is positioned and adjusted to the proper place.

It is, therefore, an object and general feature of this invention to provide an improved magnetic catch assembly having a means for magnetically engaging a striker plate of a door which is self-alignable to compensate for movement of the door but which does not create noise by rattling. Another object and general feature of this invention is to provide an improved magnetic catch assembly having a casing for covering the entire assembly when mounted except for that portion which is engageable with the striker plate.

Yet another object and general feature of the present invention is to provide a magnetic catch comprising a magnet sub-assembly including a magnet and a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of the magnet and embedded in a plastic material so that the pole pieces extend from the material, a mounting plate for supporting the magnet sub-assembly for movement relative thereto about three axes which are perpendicular to each other, and a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving the pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of the mounting plate whereby there is no metal-to-metal contact between the mounting plate, magnet sub-assembly, and casing, and whereby the entire assembly, except the pole pieces, is enclosed in the plastic casing when mounted in place.

In general, these and other objects may be attained by a magnetic catch constructed in accordance with this invention comprising a magnet and a pair of metal pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of the magnet with a plastic material molded about the magnet and pole pieces 3 material is formed so that it has a curved surface compoundedly curved about two axes which are perpendicular to each other. The assembly includes a mounting plate having holes for receiving appropriate means such as screws to secure the plate to a support such as a door frame or a cabinet. The mounting plate has a flange and a strap extending from one side thereof with the flange having at least a portion conforming to the compound curvature of a plastic material. The strap extends along the side of the plastic material opposite the curved surface and then is bent to extend along another side of the plastic material so that the plastic material is retained between the strap, the flange and the plate for movement relative to the plate. A protrusion is disposed on the face of the plate to engage one side of the plastic material. Another protrusion is disposed on the strap for engaging the opposite side of the plastic material. The plastic material, hence the magnet and pole pieces, are retained in such a fashion that the plastic material may rotate relative to the plate about three axes which are perpendicular to each other. The assembly further includes a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving the pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the perimeter of the mounting plate. The plastic casing is secured to the mounting plate by a plurality of tabs about the periphery of the plate and a plurality of lips inside the casing for riding over the respective tabs as the casing is placed in position around the plate. When the mounting plate has been secured to a support such as a door frame or cabinet, the plastic casing may be placed thereover such that only the casing and the pole pieces protruding therefrom are visible.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present,

invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective assembled view of the magnetic catch of the instant invention as well as a striker late; p FIGURE 2 is an elevational view partially in cross section of the magnetic catch of the instant invention shown mounted in phantom for engagement with a striker plate of a door;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the catch assembly showing its individual components and a striker plate.

Referring now to the figures wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts of the several views, there is \generally shown at an assembled magnetic catch assembly which is engage-able with a magnetic striker plate of a door, generally shown at 12.

The magnetic catch assembly 10 is a means for me chanically engaging a striker plate 12 and comprises a magnet sub-assembly generally shown at 20, a mounting plate generally shown at 40, and a casing 60.

The magnet sub-assembly includes a magnet 22 and a pair of metal pole pieces 24 embedded in a non-metallic material 26. The pole pieces 24 are disposed parallel to one another at opposite poles of the magnet 22. The magnet sub-assembly is made up of components which are prevented from moving relative to each other due to a non-metallic and non-rigid material 26 which is molded about the magnet 22 and the pole pieces 24. The nonrigid material 26 may be any appropriate material which will not cause a noise where it contacts metal, such as a non-rigid plastic. The plastic material 26 has a generally cubiform shape except for one side which has a curved surface 28. The curved surface 28 is compoundedly curved about two axes which are perpendicular to each other. It should be noted that if the radius of curvature about each of the two axes is equal, the curvature 28 will be spherical.

The pole pieces 24 extend from the plastic material along a side 30 which is opposite to the curved surface 28. As illustrated, the plastic material has a pair of sides .32 and 34 which are parallel to each other and extend between the curved surface 28 and the side 30 from which the pole pieces 24 extend. The plastic material also has a pair of parallel ends or sides 36 and 38, the extremities of which are defined by their respective intersections with the curved surface 28, the side 30, the side 32 and the side 34 respectively. The plastic material also has the edge between the sides 32 and 30 and between the sides 34 and 30 cut away or beveled at 35 for the purpose to become more clear hereinafter.

The magnetic cat-ch also includes a mounting plate 40 having means comprising the holes 42 for receiving appropriate means, such as the screws shown in phantom, to secure the plate to a support such as a door frame or a cabinet. The mounting plate 40 includes means for movably supporting the magnet sub-assembly so that the sub-assembly may rotate relative to the plate 40 about three axes which are perpendicular to each other. The means for movably supporting the magnet sub-assembly on the plate 40 includes a flange 44 extending from one side or face of the plate 40. The flange 44 has a portion 46 which generally conforms to the compound curvature of the surface 28 of the magnet sub-assembly. The curvature of the portion 46 is illustrated as compoundedly curved but as it will be clear hereinafter it need only be curved about an axis perpendicular to the plate 40.

Also included inv the means for movably supporting the magnet sub-assembly on the plate 40 is a strap 48. As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the strap 48 is conveniently formed when the plate 40 is made by having a portion of the metal extend laterally from the plate so as to be coplane-r with the plate. The strap 48 is then bent so as to extend from the plate to pass adjacent the side 39 of the plastic material between the pole pieces 24-, and then is bent to extend along the side 32 of a plastic material 26. The final configuration of the strap 48 is shown in phantom in FIGURE 5.

As is shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the magnet su'bassembly 20 is movably supported on the plate by the flange 44 and the strap 48. A first protrusion 50 is disposed on the side of the plate 40 to contact or engage side 34 of the plastic material. As will be evident from FIG URES 3 and 4, the protrusion 50 engages the sides 34 of the plastic material so as to prevent the side 34 from coming into total contact with the plate 40. There is also a second protrusion 52 disposed on the strap 48 to engage the side 32 of the plastic material. The protrusion 52 prevents the side 32 of the plastic material from coming into total contact with the strap 48.

The magnet sub-assembly 20 is not tightly bound between the protrusion 52 and the protrusion 50 since the strap is bent in such a manner so that the magnet subassembly may be moved slightly toward and away from the plate 40 so that it may be in contact with only one of the protrusions 50 or 52 at a time. The loose manner in which the magnet sub-assembly 20 is held by the strap 48 and the plate 40 allows the magnet sub-assembly to be rotated about an axis passing through the sides 36 and 38, as well as about another axis which is parallel to the plate 40 and passes through the side 30 and the curved surface 28. A movement of the magnet su bassembly 20 about either of these axes is limited by contact of the plastic material 26 with the mounting plate 40, which contact is noiseless.

As alluded to previously, the flange 44 has a curved portion 46 which may be compoundedly curved or curved about an axis perpendicular to the plate 40. When the portion 46 is compoundedly curved like the surface 28 of the plastic material 26, the rotation of the magnet sub-assembly 20 about the axis passing through the sides 36 and 38 will be guided by coaction between the curved surface 28 of the plastic material and the curved portion 46 of the flange 44. It is not necessary, however, to have the curved portion 46 of the flange 44 compoundedly curved since the strap 48 will prevent the magnet subassembly from being removed from the mounting plate 40 even though the curved portion 46 is curved only about an axis perpendicular to the plate 40.

The plastic material 26 is beveled at 35 to prevent interference with the strap 48 when the magnet sub'assembly is rotated about the axis passing through sides 36 and 38 of the plastic material.

The magnet sub-assembly 20 is also free to rotate relative the mounting plate 40 about an axis perpendicular to the mounting plate 40 and passing through the sides 32 and 34 of the plastic material 26. Upon such rotational movement, the curved surface 28 of the magnet sub-assembly 20 may contact the curved portion 46 to the flange 44 to be guided thereby. The flange 44 has two end portions 54 which extend parallel to the sides 36 and 38 of the plastic material to limit movement of the magnet sub-assembly 20 about the axis perpendicular to the mounting plate 40.

The magnet sub-assembly 20 is, therefore, movably supported on the mounting plate 40 by the strap 48 and flange 44 in such a manner that the magnet sub-assembly 20 is free to rotate about three axes each of which are perpendicular to the other. Due to the curved configuration of the magnet sub-assembly 20 and the flange 44, substantially all relative movement between the sub-assembly and the mounting plate 40 is prevented except rotational movement. That is to say, the magnet su bassembly 20 is substantially prevented from moving in a straight line direction relative to the mounting plate 40. This novel configuration of the catch assembly .plus the use of the plastic material 26, which prevents metal-tometal contact, provides a magnetic catch free from noise create-d by movement of the magnet sub-assembly.

The magnet catch assembly further includes a plastic casing 60. The plastic casing 60 is formed for removable attachment to the mounting plate 40 so that it entirely covers the magnet sub-assembly 20 and the mounting plate 40 except for the pole pieces 24 which are engageable with a striker plate. Plastic casing 60 has a pair of slots 62 for receiving the pole pieces 24. The casing 60 has an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of the mounting plate 40 so that when the mounting plate 40 has been secured to a supportthe plastic casing may be secured about the mounting plate 40 to entirely cover the magnetic catch assembly except for the protruding pole pieces 24.

Means is provided for removably securing the plastic casing 60 to the mounting plate 40 comprising tabs 56 positioned about the periphery of the mountig plate 40 and lips 64 disposed in the opening of the casing 60. The lips 64 ride over the tabs 56 when the casing 60 is placed in position contiguous with the periphery of the plate 40. The casing 60 is preferably made of a pliable plastic so that the lips 64 readily ride over the tabs 56 and fall therebehind to hold the casing 60 in positioncovering the plate. The casing 60 covers the assembly except for the pole pieces 24 when the mounting plate 40 is secured in place. Thus, the casing 60 hides unsightly screws such as those shown in phantom.

The mounting plate 40, therefore, may be attached to and adjusted on the wall of the cabinet before the cabinet is finished and the cabinet may then be finished and the casing 60 attached after finishing of the cabinet to cover unsightly stains, varnishes, etc. This procedure alleviates the possibility of marrin-g a finished cabinet by trying to position and adjust a magnetic catch thereon.

The invention as illustrated utilizes a plastic material surrounding the magnet and pole pieces which has a generally cubiform shape. However, the plastic material may be of many various shapes so long as it may be movably supported so that there is no metal contact to create noise.

Although the casing is illustrated as made of plastic, it is obvious that the casing may be made of any suitable material, although soft materials such :as plastic, paper or wood are preferred.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically described.

I claim:

1. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including; a magnet; a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said plastic material having a first side thereof which has a curved surface; said pole pieces extending from said plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; a mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly; said last-mentioned means including a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof generally conforming to the curvature of said first side of said plastic material, and a strap extending from said side of said mounting plate adjacent said second side of said plastic material between said pole pieces and bent to extend along a third side of said plastic material; and said magnet sub-assembly being retained loosely between said mounting plate and said strap.

2. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including; a magnet, a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said plastic material having a first side thereof which has a curved surface; said pole pieces extending from said plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; a mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet subassembly; said last-mentioned means including a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof generally conforming to the curvature of said first side of said plastic material, and a strap extending from said side of said mounting plate adjacent said second side of said plastic material between said pole pieces and bent to extend along a third side of said plastic material; a first protrusion disposed on said side of said mounting plate to engage a fourth side of said plastic material; a second protrusion disposed on said strap to engage said third side of said plastic material; said third and fourth sides of said plastic material having less distance therebetween than the distance between said protrusions so that said magnet sub-assembly is held loosely between said protrusions; and means disposed on said mounting plate for limiting the movement of said magnet sub-assembly about an axis perpendicular to said mounting plate.

3. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including; a magnet; a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material mold-v ed about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said plastic material having a generally cubiform shape except for a first side thereof which has a curved surface compoundedly curved about two axes which are perpendicular to each other; said pole pieces extending from said plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; said plastic material having third and fourth panallel sides extending between said curved surface and said second side; said plastic material having fifth and sixth parallel sides the extremities of which 'are defined by their intersection with said curved surface, said second, third and fourth sides respectively; a mounting plate; means for securing said mounting plate to a support; said mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly; said last-mentioned means including a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof generally conforming to the compound curvature of said first side of said plastic material, and a strap extending from said side of said mounting plate adjacent said second side of said plastic material between said pole pieces and bent to extend along said third side of said plastic material; a first protrusion disposed on said side of said mounting plate to engage said fourth side of said plastic material to prevent said fourth side from coming into total contact with said mounting plate; a second protrusion disposed on said strap to engage said third side of said plastic material to prevent said third side from coming into total contact with said strap; said third and fourth sides of said plastic material having less distance therebetween than the distance between said protrusions so that said magnet subassembly is held loosely between said protrusions; and said flange having two portions each respectively extending substantially parallel to one of said fifth and sixth sides of said plastic material to limit the movement of said magnet sub-assembly about an axis perpendicular to said mounting plate.

4. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising; means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including, a magnet, a pair of metal pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet, a mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet and said pole pieces, a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate, and means for removably securing said plastic casing to said mounting plate.

5. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising; means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including, a magnet, a pair of metal .pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet, a sound deadening material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly, said pole pieces extending from said sound deadening material, amounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly, a casing having 'slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate, and means for removably securing said casing to said mounting plate.

6. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising; means magnetically engageable, with the magnetic striker plate including, a magnet, a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet, a sound deadening material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet subassembly, said pole pieces extending from said sound deadening material, a mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly for movement about three axes perpendicular to one another, a non-metallic casing having slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate, and means for removably securing said casing to said mounting plate including a plurality of tabs about the periphery of said mounting plate and a plurality of lips on said casing for riding over said respective tabs as said casing is placed in position.

7. A magnetic catch for usewith a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including; a magnet; a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said sound deadening plastic material having a curved surface; said pole pieces extending from said sound deadening plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; a mounting plate; means for securing said mounting plate to a support; said mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly for movement about three axes perpendicular to one another; said lastmentioned means including a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof substantially conforming to the curvature of said plastic material; a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate; and means for removably securing said plastic casing to said mounting plate.

8. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the magnetic striker plate including; a magnet; a pair of pole pieces disposed at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said sound deadening plastic material having arcurved surface; said pole pieces extending from said sound deadening plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; a mounting plategmeans for securing said mounting plate to a support; said mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly for movement about three axes perpendicular to one another; said lastmentioned means including a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof substantially conforming to the curvature of said plastic material, and a strap extending from said side of said mounting plate adjacent said plastic sound deadening material on the opposite extremity thereof from said curved surface; a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate; and means for removably securing said plastic casing to said mounting plate including a plurality of tabs about the periphery of said mounting plate and a plurality of lips on said casing for riding over said respective tabs as said casing is placed in position.

9. A magnetic catch for use with a door provided with a magnetic striker plate comprising: means magnetically engageable with the striker plate including; a magnet; 21 pair of metal pole pieces disposed parallel to one another and at opposite poles of said magnet; a sound deadening plastic material molded about said magnet and said pole pieces to form a magnet sub-assembly; said plastic ma-' terial having a generally cubiform shape except for a first side thereof which has a curved surface compoundedly curved about two axes which are perpendicular to each other; said pole pieces extending from said plastic material along a second side thereof which is opposite to said curved surface; said plastic material having third and fourth parallel sides extending between said curved surface and said second side; said plastiomaterial having fifth and sixth parallel sides the extremities of which are defined by their intersection with said curved surface, said second, third and fourth sides respectively; a mounting plate having holes for receiving appropriate means to secure said mounting plate to a support; said mounting plate including means for movably supporting said magnet sub-assembly; said last-mentioned means includ mg a flange extending from a side of said mounting plate and having at least a portion thereof generally conforming to the compound curvature of said first side of said plastic material, and a strap extending from said side of said mounting plate adjacent said second side of said plastic material between said pole pieces and bent to extend along said third side of said plastic material; a first protrusion disposed on said side of said mounting plate to engage said fourth side of said plastic material to prevent said fourth side from coming into total contact with said mounting plate; a second protrusion disposed on said strap to engage said third side of said plastic material to prevent said third side from coming into total contact with said strap; said third and fourth sides of sai-d plastic material having less distance therebetween than the distance between said protrusions so that said magnet subassembly is held loosely between said protrusions; said flange having two portions each respectively extending parallel to one of said fifth and sixth sides of said plastic material to limit the movement of said magnet subassembly about an axis perpendicular to said mounting plate; a plastic casing having slots therein for receiving said pole pieces and an opening for placement in a position contiguous with the periphery of said mounting plate; and means for removably securing said plastic casing to said mounting plate including a plurality of tabs about 10 the periphery of said mounting plate and a plurality of lips on said casing for riding over said respective tabs as said casing is placed in position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,283,845 11/1918 Marchant.

2,694,237 11/1954 Rifkin 292-2515 X 2,701,158 2/1955 Schmitt 292-2515 2,733,092 1/1956 Teetor 292-2515 2,770,759 11/1956 Ahlgren 292-2515 X 2,792,249 5/1957 Saxton 292-2515 2,877,041 3/1959 Foley 292-2515 2,909,384 10/ 1959 Saxton 292-2515 2,970,857 2/1961 Squire 292-2515 3,151,350 10/1964 Manion 292-357 X 3,204,154 8/1965 Crandell 292-2515 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,298,999 6/1962 France.

902,091 7/ 1962 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. 

4. A MAGNETIC CATCH FOR USE WITH A DOOR PROVIDED WITH A MAGNETIC STRIKER PLATE COMPRISING; MEANS MAGNETICALLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE MAGNETIC STRIKER PLATE INCLUDING, A MAGNET, A PAIR OF METAL POLE PIECES DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE POLES OF SAID MAGNET, A MOUNTING PLATE INCLUDING MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID MAGNET AND SAID POLE PIECES, A PLASTIC CASING HAVING SLOTS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING SAID POLE PIECES AND AN OPENING FOR PLACEMENT IN A POSITION CONTIGUOUS WITH THE PERIPHERY OF SAID MOUNTING PLATE, AND MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING SAID PLASTIC CASING TO SAID MOUNTING PLATE. 